Rae woke Saturday morning after a restless night filled with anxiety ridden dreams. It was like a never ending movie of children mistaking her for an escaped elephant or of her going in for a kiss with Finn that he didn't want so he pushed her in the koi pond outside the giraffe exhibit. It was a rough night.

Rae knew it wasn't a date. Even if she had allowed herself to think it was for a few minutes, Archie put it out her mind when he called to talk to her about it and told her to invite Chloe.

It's just a gang of friends going to the zoo, nothing romantic. Well besides all the bloody couples going. Izzy and Chop. Archie and Barney. Veronica and Peter. Ugh.

The clock on her night stand flashed mutinously bright in the dark room showing Rae it was 7:58 in the morning and she could hear the peaceful sounds of slumber coming from the masses that were Chloe and Izzy. Rae couldn't stand to be in bed any longer so she got up, put on some trainers, and went for a walk.

It was a brisk November morning. The dew on the grass was frozen at the tips and Rae's breath was coming out in little puffs of fog.

Why are you so nervous? Chloe's going. So if you get a bit embarrassed you'll have her there for support. Though, why would you be embarrassed? You spent over an hour with him yesterday, by yourself, and you were fine. Granted, you did gawk at him like he was an animal in the zoo, but you were witty and funny and he liked it. He basically said he liked talking to you. So what if you'll just be friends? He seems like an excellent friend. He listens, he observes, he's funny. Not to mention, he's not a bad looking friend to have. So calm down!

Rae hadn't always been able to talk herself down from stuff like this. Two years ago, she would have had a panic attack at the thought of going to the zoo with fit boys, nervous that they were bringing her there as a joke to leave her for the trainers to take care of.

Her twat of a boyfriend in college, Liam, was a terrible support system for her. He actually made a joke of her going to live at the zoo one time when they were out together. Kester would always tell her she needed to leave him, that he wasn't good for her recovery, but she couldn't. He was the only boy who ever showed any interest in her, even if it was not always in the greatest way.

But the friends she's met so far at university far outshine Liam, even on his best days. They genuinely enjoy having her around and they make her feel safe. And just thinking about them and how much she was going to have them today, let her finally enjoy her walk.

She walked around the campus and some of the surrounding neighborhoods, all the way to the bottom of Merle Hill.

Well now you're just being creepy. Turn around. Now!

When she turned around she almost walked right in to a jogging Archie.

"Rae! What are you doin' here?" He asked as he leaned in to kiss her check.

"Oh, I was just out for a walk. You know, clearing my mind and exercising and all that." She said pretending to stretch.

Archie chuckled at her. "Well it's lovely to see yas. I was gunna ring you in a bit to see when you three wanted to come over so we can figure out rides. Veronica and her suite mate, Chanel I think, are coming round about 10."

Oh, Chanel is going, too. Wait, why am I not more pleased about this?

White-hot rage boiled in the pit of Rae's stomach and she had no idea where it came from, and then her mind flashed back to the night of the Halloween party.

Oh, right. She was visibly eye-fucking Finn all night. Bitch.

Rachel! Earl! Chanel is your friend. Stop that now.

"Ten sounds perfect. I'll get back and let Chloe and Izzy know to be ready."

"Brilliant. See you in a few!"

And he was off running up the hill.

"See ya!" She shouted back to him. He turned around and did a little wave.

Rae made it back to the suite just as Chloe and Izzy were starting to stir.

"Mornin'," Chloe croaked, her voice hoarse from hours of nonuse.

"What time is it?" Izzy asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"S'bout 8:45." Rae answered, looking at her watch.

"Why are we awake?" Chloe questioned, falling back into her pillows.

"Well, it's a good thing you're up. I've just seen Archie and he says we're to be at theirs around 10. So up and at 'em, ladies!" Rae playfully patted their butts through their duvets.

The next 45 minutes played out like any other typical Chraezy morning. Salt-n-Pepa blared from the boom box, yawns were stifled, and even though there were no "dibs" on who got to shower first, Rae and Izzy willingly let Chloe have it because she really did take forever and if she didn't go first they'd be late for everything.

They took turns standing in front of the mirror, checking to see if their outfits matched and if they would be suitable for a day at the zoo. Rae was extra anxious about her outfit. It needed to be the perfect combination of girly and comfortable.

"Ugh!" She yelled in frustration after a few minutes of holding clothes up to her body in front of the mirror. "This is ridiculous! I have nothing to wear!"

"Why are you so fidgety this mornin', Rae?" Izzy asked, concern written all over her pale face.

"Oh my god!" Chloe exclaimed. "You fancy him, don't you?!" She said with a perceptive grin.

"What? Who? Noooo…" Rae responded unconvincingly.

"Oh, yes you do!" Chloe said excitedly. "This is so exciting! I'm going to observe how he acts around you to see if he likes you, too. This is brilliant!"

Shit.

"Oh, Chloe," Rae pleaded. "Please don't. I'm awkward enough around him, if you're watching I'll only be worse. Promise me you won't. Please."

"Oh, alright. I promise." Chloe said as she crossed her fingers in an X pattern across her heart.

Little did Rae know that Chloe had her fingers were crossed behind her back. Of course Chloe was going to observe. The stolen glances between the two at the Halloween party were not lost to her, even if they were to each other. Finn was fit and she wants to know if he likes her friend or not. Rae deserved a good guy and as far as she could tell, Finn was one of the good guys.

Rae finally decided on an outfit (jean skirt over black leggings, blue flannel shirt under her leather jacket) and the girls set off to Merle Hill.

Everyone was standing outside the house by the cars as they were the last to arrive. Izzy and Chop started sucking face as soon as she walked up and Archie gave Rae a kiss on the cheek. But the only thing Rae could pay attention to was the fact that Chanel was standing dreadfully close to Finn, hitting his glorious bicep muscle as she laughed at what he was saying.

It's probably really stupid. Stop being so transparently keen, Chanel!

Jesus, Rae. You need to cut that out if you plan on making it through this day without becoming a total bitch.

"Now that everyone is here," Archie started. "We can sort out the rides. I think two cars should be enough for the 10 of us. Barney, Chloe, Rae, Finn, and I can get in my car. And Peter, Veronica, Izzy, Chop, and Chanel can go in Peter's car. Yeah?"

Everyone seemed to be in agreement about the rides but that didn't stop Rae's eyes from stealthily drifting over to Chanel just in time to see her face drop slightly at the thought of not riding in the same car as Finn.

Haha. Sucker.

Raaaae.

Rae had never laughed so hard in her life than she did on the hour long car ride to the zoo with Barney, Archie, Chloe, and Finn. Archie and Finn had the car in stitches when they shared their riotously funny stories of growing up together and wreaking havoc all over Manchester.

"Yeah, me and that knobhead back there spent most of our days blowin' shit up and drinkin' behind the school," Archie smiled affectionately back at Finn.

"It's a wonder we made it to university in the first place," Finn added, matching Archie's beam.

"And now he just knows too much for me to ever let him go."

"Archer, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Finn said, reaching over the back of Archie's seat to tousle his hair.

"Oi, I'm drivin' here!"

"Yeah, and the only one who gets to run their fingers through his hair is me, Finnley," Barney quipped, fixing Archie's hair.

"My apologies, Barnaby," Finn added, tousling his hair in return.

"Oi!" Barney laughed as he turned around to play hit Finn.

If I still kept my diary, this would indeed be a Dear Diary moment. Finn is sitting so close to me in the backseat that I'm practically sitting in his lap. And let me tell you, he's smells glorious. It's a faint mix of tobacco and CK1. And more times than I can even being to comment on, he's looked over at me and smiled or bumped my shoulder to get my attention. I keep catching Chloe look at us out of the corner of her and little knowing smiles flash across her face. I knew she was going to be watching us. Maybe I wouldn't mind hearing what she observed…

We got the zoo a little after 11 a.m. and it was the quintessential fall day. The sun was shining, high sky, making it feel warmer than it actually was and the leaves glowed golden under the brazen blue sky. Rae took a deep breath and felt nothing but sublime contentment. That was until they made their way to the zoo entrance and Chanel somehow managed to snake her way in between Finn and Rae and looped her arm through his.

"I'm so excited to see the giraffes," She said. An overeager smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah, me too," Finn mumbled as he unhooked his arm from hers and went to walk with Chop and Izzy.

For the second time today Rae saw sorrow fall on Chanel's face and she felt boundless shame for her thoughts from before. She knew what it was like to be so desperately into somebody and for them to not reciprocate those feelings. She hated seeing her friend like this, even if her friend was trying to vie for the object of her affection's attention.

"I'm excited for the giraffes, too," Rae said as she caught up to Chanel and looped their arms together.

Chanel's weak attempt at a smile was not lost on Rae.

"Pay no mind to him," Rae said, pointing up to Finn. "He just takes a while to get used to. He's a bit of a dickhead."

Chanel snorted a real laugh and smiled up at Rae. "Thanks, Rae. It's just hard, ya know? To have feelings for someone who clearly has no interest in ya."

They both looked up to Finn just as he was jumping on Chop's back. Rae sighed.

Boy, do I.

"Can I give you some advice?" Rae asked, wondering how much she was going to regret this decision in the future.

"Yes!"

"Just, don't try so hard with him. He's an observer. Let him come to you."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Rae! You're such a good friend." She reached up to kiss Rae's cheek and then followed Peter and Veronica to the kangaroo exhibit.

Yep, that's me. Good friend Rae.

Four hours had come and gone in a blink of eye. Rae was really enjoying spending time with and getting to know the uniquely wonderful individuals. And everyone was having such a good time that they didn't even notice the two twats that had been following them around for the greater part of an hour.

They reached the primate exhibit when Peter suddenly became very serious. "Do you guys want to hear something awesome?" He asked his posh Central London accent ringing through the air.

"Is it inappropriate?" Veronica questioned as if she already knew the answer to the question.

"Actually, no," Peter rebutted. "It's genuinely awesome."

"Well, let's see it then," Barney asked, slipping his arm around Archie's waist.

"Okay, watch it," Peter said as he inhaled deeply. "WHO WHO WHO AAH AAH AAH!" And all the apes in the exhibit turned to look at him.

"Where the fuck did that come from?" Finn asked, amazed.

"I don't know, it's just something that I've always been able to do," Peter responded with a smile.

"Aw, my monkey man," Veronica grinned.

"That's fuckin' disgustin'," one of the twats no one noticed suddenly shouted at them.

Rae turned to see two boys, roughly their age, standing about 10 feet from them wearing saggy pants and backward baseball caps hiding oily, tangled hair. The taller of two was wearing a dirty tie-dyed shirt with a marijuana leaf imprinted on it. The dumpier one was wearing a brown shirt that looked like it was once white.

Jesus. They look like they need a shower. And a laundry mat.

"Hey, mate," Peter retorted timidly. "It wasn't that bad."

"Not your stupid fuckin' monkey call, ya cunt," the shorter of the two responded. "That's fuckin' disgustin'." He added pointing to what so viciously repulsed them. Every set of eyes followed his finger to Archie and Barney.

"You got a fuckin' problem, man?" Finn asked, his hands involuntarily clenching and his face turning red.

"Yeah, I got a big fuckin' problem," the marijuana lover said.

"We came to see animals, not fairies," the extra dirty one added.

"Listen, mate," Peter said through clenched teeth. "You don't want to do this, alright? We've done nothing to warrant your narrow-minded, bigoted behavior, so kindly piss off."

"Oh, whatcha gunna do, asshole? Use your monkey call again to summon your mummy over there?" The taller mocked.

"This is a big zoo, guys," Chop chimed in. "Go be mind-numbing twats somewhere else."

Rae couldn't believe what was happening. For the first time in her life she was verbally paralyzed. She couldn't think of anything to say to fend these assholes off. She looked at Archie and Barney and her heart broke into millions of microscopic pieces. They were no longer touching. They couldn't even look at each other.

"You poor fuckers couldn't bag any of these broads so you decided to fuck each other?" The taller one was going for it again. He seemed to be the main instigator of the two. "You couldn't even get the fat one there?" He said, pointing to Rae.

Rae's breath hitched in her throat and her mind started spiraling back to a very dark place.

No. No. NO. You're perfect. You. Are. Perfect.

It all happened so fast that Rae wasn't exactly sure how it started. Finn, Chop, and Peter were no longer standing next to them but were instead ramming their fists into whatever part of the twatish duo they could.

It was horrible to watch but the girls could do nothing. Their breathless pleas to stop went unheard as the boys could hear only the sound of their rage ringing in their ears and of their fists hitting flesh and breaking bones.

Chop got a good shot to the taller boy's face and broke his nose before a security guard finally came running over to them, breaking them up.

"Out!" He shouted at the boys. "All of you!"

"Fuckin' pricks. You all go be dirty fags together," the shorter boy snarled at them to which Peter had to physically restrain Finn this time for fear of him murdering them.

Finn's breath was coming out in ragged pants as he made sure Barney was okay and then he turned to Archie.

"Where's Archie?" He shouted as worry consumed him.

"He was just here," Barney responded, turning in circles as if Archie was playing a game and was hiding behind him.

Oh, no.

"Archie! Archie!" Everyone started shouting.

"I told you boys to get out!" The security guard was back.

"But we lost our friend," Peter tried to reason with him.

"I don't care. You three need to vacate these grounds immediately before I ring the police to come and get you." He snapped back to Peter.

"Right, you lot search for Archer in here," Finn formulated a plan. "Maybe he went back to the cars. If you haven't found him in 15 minutes, come meet us in the car park and we'll figure somethin' else out."

Rae knew it was not the appropriate time to think about this, what with her friends being physically and verbally assaulted, but Finn looked mighty fine when he was angry and sweaty.

"Find him," he looked her square in the eyes and nodded as if he trusted her more than the others to be the one to find him.

"I will," she said with more resolve than she actually had.

I mean, how far could he have gone? The zoo is big but it's not that big. They were bound to find him. But what if he did go to the car park and the twats found him first.

The thought made Rae feel sick. She'd find him. She knew she would.

Even though she'd really only been friends with Archie for a week or so, she felt like she actually knew him pretty well. She thought back to all their hours' long conversations and wonder if he had given any clue to where he would go if he felt attacked.

No, the boy only really talks about history. And Barney. He loved Barney. Even said Barney was his lobster, just like Rachel was Ross'. Lobsters… Hmmm… Does this zoo have lobsters? No, Rae. What zoo has lobsters? But what other animals typically mate for life? Think, Rae, think!

"Otters."

Rae tore off in what she hoped was the direction of the Sea Otter house. When she made it to the door of the otter house, her skipped a beat. One because she just sprinted half the distance of the zoo and two because she could make out Archie's profile just inside the door, looking into the water, his crystal blue eyes, made even more clear from his tears, were following the swimming otters.

"Archie," Rae sighed as she walked up to him. "We've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Did you know that otters hold hands when they sleep so they don't drift away from their mates?"

"Archie…"

"Also, when they're mating, the males tend to bite the nose of the female, often scarring them."

"Why are you telling me this, Archie?" Rae asked.

He turned to her so abruptly that he almost knocked her over.

"Because the way I love leaves scars, too!" he shouted towards Rae, but not at Rae. "They haven't been physical yet but they could be one day and who knows when that one day will be. What if it was just Barney and I here today, huh? Could we have been able to fend them off? I wish I was as strong as Finn and Peter and Chop but I'm not. The emotional scars hurt to, ya know? God, do they hurt. Do you have any idea what that feels like? Constantly being berated for who you are as person and for who you love? It's nauseatin'. It's infuriatin'. It's… It's heartbreakin'. It just takes the air right out of your lungs and you're drownin' and you have no way to escape." And then he slumped to the ground in a mess of tears and broken sobs.

Rae fell down with him and cradled him in her arms, lighting stroking his hair as she rocked him back and forth. "Shh. It's okay, Archie. It's going to be okay. You're perfect. You are perfect."

Rae didn't know how long they sat there but bollocks to Finn's 15 minutes. She wasn't going to rush Archie when he was in an emotional state. If any knew what it meant to work through your own shit, it was her.

"Rae?" Archie croaked out after a few minutes.

"Yeah, Arch?"

"Do you believe in destiny?"

"I don't know, really. Why?"

"Cause I think I was destined to meet you. I really do."

"Well, if that's how destiny works, then I'm right there with you," she said with a warm grin.

She stood up and reached her hand out to help him up. When he stood, he brought in her for a warm hug.

"Thanks," he said into her neck.

"Course, mate."

The two walked out of the zoo hand in hand. When they reached the car park, Barney came sprinting over to them.

He wrapped his arms around Archie's shoulders and started crying into his neck. "I was so worried about you," he managed to get out through his tears.

"I know. I'm so sorry I ran off like that. I'm sorry I'm still not brave enough to face twats like that," Archie responded, his own tears falling again.

"I love you so much."

"I love you, too." And they hugged each other tighter.

Rae left them to have their moment and walked over to where the rest of the gang was.

"Where was he?" Chop asked relieved.

"In-," Rae started but Finn cut in.

"The otter house, wasn't he?"

"How'd ya know?"

Finn did a little shrug of his shoulders as if it was obvious.

Archie and Barney were walking over to the gang, wrapped in each other's arms.

"Now," Archie started. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready to get the fuck outta here."

Everyone laughed.

"Here, here!" Peter responded with a wink to Archie and Barney.

"Finn, do ya mind-" Archie was starting ask.

"Course not mate," Finn said instinctively as Archie handed over his car keys. "And Rae can hop in the front with me, so you two can have the back. Sorry, Chlo. They'll probably be pretty lovey-dovey back there." He added with a cheeky grin.

"Aw, I don't mind as long as they let me in on some of the cuddles." Chloe teased as she threw her arms around them.

At some point during the drive back, the three backseat passengers fell asleep on top of each other. Rae looked back on her friends with some much adoration that she'd never felt for anyone besides her family.

But this is your family now, too, Rae.

Rae could see Finn looking at Archie in the rearview mirror. There was still so much tension in his body, but at least his face was relaxed now.

This is the kind of man that loves, wholly and deeply. This is the kind of man who would walk to the ends of the earth to protect those that matter to him. This is the kind of man worth fighting for.

"How's your hand?" She said after a long bout of silence.

"I'll live."

"That was mighty brave of you, Finn,"

"Yeah, well, he's more than just my best mate, Rae. He's my brother. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

And Rae knew he meant it. Probably more than he meant anything else.